Welcome to Episode 17 of The Madhappy Podcast.  We’re excited to partner with CashApp on a new initiative to support your mental health. Every week, we’ll be giving out $200 to a handful of listeners with the hope that you can put this money towards something that can better your mental health. To enter, write a review for The Madhappy Podcast on Apple Podcasts, including your $Cashtag, or follow @localoptimist on Instagram to learn about other ways to win. This week, we welcome Nick Viall to hear more about his mental health journey in both the private and public eye. We start off by hearing about Nick’s childhood in the Midwest as he talks about the values he still embodies and the different perspectives he is able to have by growing up in Wisconsin (3:51).  Nick talks about having ten siblings, how he existed in his family system and how he has come to be a very independent person (6:13) before Mason and Nick talk about being introverted and how birth order plays a role in shaping people’s personalities (7:43). Peiman asks Nick about his therapy journey as Nick shares the reasoning behind deciding to officially start in the pandemic (12:33). Nick speaks about how his first heartbreak was truly his first, consciously recognized, mental health experience (15:57) moving us into a conversation about the bachelor world, how Nick views the experience now that he is so removed from the show and franchise, and how he was able to maintain his sense of self (18:27). We learn more about the inspiration behind Nick’s Podcast, The Viall Files, (25:38), and how both his confidence and humility helped him structure a show that has become successful (28:55). Mason asks Nick what he looks for in a partner now (31:10), before we finish up talking about being your true self while in a relationship (33:38) and learning what's next for Nick (39:32). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Madhappy Podcast.  Today we are joined by creators, entrepreneurs, and sisters, Erin Foster and Sara Foster, to hear about their experiences with mental health and the evolution of their sisterhood.  We kick things off with a discussion about sibling bonds and how they differ from other friendships or romantic relationships (3:36). Sara talks about her experiences being the oldest child (9:48) as Erin speaks on being the middle child in their household (15:04).  Erin then brings up her recent experience with MDMA-Assisted Therapy, moving us into a discussion about our unique therapy experiences (16:23). The sisters speak on feeling famous-adjacent (24:00) as they give background on the inspiration behind and goals for Barely Famous, their television show (30:17) & The World’s First Podcast, their podcast (37:00). Erin shares her experiences converting to Judaism (42:25) before we wrap up by asking the sisters what's next for the sisters both personally and as a duo (48:04).  This week we’re excited to partner with CashApp on a new initiative to support your mental health. Every week, we’ll be giving out $200 to a handful of listeners with the hope that you can put this money towards something that can better your mental health. To enter, write a review for The Madhappy Podcast on Apple Podcasts, including your $Cashtag, or follow the directions in the caption of our latest Instagram post from @LocalOptimist. Check out Erin & Sara's podcast, The World's First Podcast. How Our Greatest Fear Becomes Our Greatest Gift (with Rabbi Steve Leder) is a great listen. We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Madhappy Podcast. This week we are excited to welcome clinical psychologist, emotional fitness expert, and the Co-Founder of Coa, Dr. Emily Anhalt to the show to learn more about her mental health journey and career. We start off by sharing our first therapy sessions (2:32), moving us into a conversation about mental health and emotional fitness (8:05). Emily speaks about the benefits of emotional health practices (11:29), before talking through the growth of her career as a therapist and psychologist (17:23). Emily walks us through the evolution of her company Coa, explaining how she realized the opportunity to help people realize the importance of prioritizing mental health at the bottom line (21:34). Mason asks Emily about how she handles managing her work-life balance (25:24), as she discusses the importance of setting clear boundaries as a therapist while also building real relationships with her clients (28:53). Emily shares ways to find a therapist that feels like the right fit (32:52), before we wrap up learning how to search for and discover accessible and affordable therapy (36:25). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Madhappy Podcast.  This week we are happy to welcome world-renowned tennis player, Stefanos Tsitsipas onto the show to learn more about the evolution of his career and how he has come to understand the importance of recognizing and speaking about his mental health.  We kick off the episode as Stefanos shares the impacts the pandemic had on his mental health (2:17), before going back to learn more about Stefanos’s entrance into the tennis world and why he ultimately decided to invest all of his time into the sport with the goal to succeed on a global level (7:10).   Stefanos sheds light on why mental health is often under-discussed in the sports world (9:45) and why he thinks it is necessary to talk about the expectations, pressures, doubts that come with being a professional athlete (16:01). We learn how Stefanos uses purpose to find self-motivation to work towards his goals (22:06) and why he often stays away from social media to protect his mental health (25:00), before wrapping up as Stefanos shares his main goal is to use his game and successes have a positive impact on other people's lives throughout his tennis career and life (33:39). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Madhappy Podcast.  This week, Peiman talks to Mason to learn more about his childhood, experiences with mental health, and how Mason has become the person he is and works to be today. Mason starts off by giving background on his family of origin (03:23). He explains how he felt like the black sheep in his family after his blended family came together (15:55).  We get into a conversation about Mason and his brother Matt’s relationship, sharing how he used girls and their attention to validate and differentiate himself from his brother (19:55). Mason opens up about his experiences with depression and shares how a change in his family forced him to relook at things to gain a better understanding of events in his past (32:22). Mason shares about his decision to finish his junior and senior year at boarding school on the East Coast (37:38) and his reasoning behind both going and dropping out of college in Indiana (41:56). We learn more about how having freedom and a lack of structure caused Mason’s experience with depression and anxiety to get worse once he moved back home (48:03). We wrap up learning why Mason works to instill and encourage open and honest mental health conversations (58:34), as he shares an allegory of self and life for people who may be struggling with the same feelings and realities that he still works to identify and find ways to support today (1:11:41). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Madhappy Podcast. Today we are very excited to welcome Tinx onto the show to hear about her growth as a creator and her experiences with anxiety throughout her life in both the private and now public eye.  We jump into a conversation about habits (03:52) before Tinx shares how she identified, experienced, and handled anxiety throughout her childhood in London and the states (09:33).  Tinx talks about how her anxiety affected her mental and physical state as a teenager which in part, pushed her to begin therapy (13:28), moving us into a conversation about the importance of taking care of both the mind and body (14:40). We ask Tinx what she did before becoming a full-time content creator (17:19) and discuss the pressures that come with the common, yet false, mindset that a person needs to have everything figured out in their 20s (21:28).  Tinx opens up about her reasoning behind being open and honest on social media and how she hopes her vulnerability and content help her audience make changes and get support as needed in their own lives (34:00).  We touch on relationships (36:47), Tinx shares how she addresses and works to help her mental health (41:32), and we wrap up by learning one thing Tinx thinks her followers do not know about her life (46:02). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Madhappy Podcast. This week, in honor of our tenth episode, Peiman and Mason take time to take a step back to reflect on their friendship and podcast journey so far.  We dive into the story of how Peiman and Mason met in high school (01:30), the evolution of their relationship (06:01), and the inspiration behind the name Madhappy (11:05). Mason and Peiman talk about the ups and downs that come with hosting a new podcast (19:14) and share their hopes for the show moving forward (22:23). Send us questions for our new mailbag segment @peimanraf and @masonspec on Instagram :) We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Madhappy Podcast. Today we welcome Kyle, also known as Super Duper Kyle, onto the show to learn more about how his childhood experiences shaped him into the singer, songwriter, and creative he is today.  We start off by talking about Kyle’s first experience with mental health (05:57) as he opens up about how, in part, living in a hostile environment taught him to create happiness for himself. Mason speaks about his parents’ divorce (14:35) as Kyle and Peiman share why they initially decided to go to therapy (15:31). Kyle talks about his experience being bullied as a kid and how he was able to stay positive, giving situations love rather than hate (18:46), as Mason shares how his mom used to tell him the powerful message that no one can make you feel anything (20:59).  Kyle lets us in on his writing process, sharing how his number one goal is to create songs that can help people find a new perspective (25:50) and incorporate positive messaging (30:16). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Madhappy Podcast.  Today we welcome Ramy Youssef, known for his award-winning show, Ramy, onto the show to learn more about his childhood and career experiences as a Muslim-American.  Ramy starts off by speaking about his upbringing and childhood as he navigated environments and circles that were fully not his own in New York City and New Jersey (07:38).  We move into a discussion about stand-up and comedy and how Ramy’s comedic approach was influenced by his father, grandfather, and family (09:18). Ramy shares about his first mental health experiences (16:32), Peiman talks about his experience being an immigrant child (18:54), and Mason opens up about why he started therapy at age 7 (20:34).  Ramy shares how he works to add both subtle and explicit mental health conversations to his show (22:45).  Mason brings up the problems that come with comparison and we get into a conversation about faith and groupthink (38:47) before we finish up hearing about what is next from both Ramy, the person, and Ramy, the show and listening to his advice to our audience (51:24).  We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Madhappy Podcast. Today we are excited to welcome Gael, Kayla, and Thomas, three of the five hosts of Teenager Therapy, one of the fastest-growing podcasts in the game, to learn more about their high school experiences and the evolution of their show, focused on the ups and downs that come with being a teenager. We jump into a conversation about how Teenager Therapy began (05:21), and Gael shares how he wants to make people feel less alone. Thomas then opens up about his experience coming out and how he found the courage to share his story on the group's show (12:47).  Later, we move into a discussion about why Teenager Therapy has been so well received (15:28), and Kayla discusses how their uncomfortable and awkward conversations have allowed them to relate with their audience and strengthen their friendships with each other. The group then speaks on handling mental health conversations with their parents (20:23) and what is next for their show (31:24). We talk about some serious topics on this show. We are not professionals and are not giving advice. If you or someone you know needs help, please text start to 741741 and for additional resources please visit LocalOptimist.com/Get-Help The Madhappy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Follow us: @Madhappy | @LocalOptimist Visit us: Madhappy.com | LocalOptimist.com